Driscoll's Antioxidant Phytochemicals of Berries
Fruit buyers from around the world have come to regard Driscoll's berries as the very best because they recognize Driscoll's brand for its commitment to research and development. Quality assurance. Product consistency. Nearly year-around availability. Modern cooling and handling. Superb transport and distribution worldwide by refrigerated truck and air freight. Superior packaging. And effective marketing and user support for the Driscoll's brand. A brand that stands for varieties grown only by Driscoll's growers—and unequaled anywhere.
Only the earth and nature can "make" plants. But Driscoll's enhances that miracle by making it as natural as possible. In fertilization. And pest control. And technology such as its "bug vac," which actually vacuums plants to help grow healthier, cleaner, more beautiful, pest-free fruit.
Driscoll's geneticists, plant breeders, entomologists, plant pathologists, and horticulturists selectively breed and cultivate hundreds of thousands of new strawberry varieties to obtain one new, improved variety. Their goal: improved flavor, appearance, increased resistance to disease and pests (to reduce the need for pesticides). The benefit: improved fruit, lower costs, extended availability.
Health Benefits of Berries
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are nutrition powerhouses when it comes to providing health benefits. They are strong sources of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and phytochemicals (naturally occurring antioxidants). Their protective qualities are at the core of research for heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diseases related to aging, such as Alzheimer's disease.
The pigments that give berries their deep rich colors of red, blue, black, and purple are also responsible for their strong antioxidant disease-fighting powers. Berries contain a wide variety of different types of antioxidants. It is this concentrated total antioxidant interaction that gives berries their potent antioxidants effect. Research concludes that it is the whole nutrient profile of a fruit or vegetable and the myriad of interactions among those various classes of phytochemicals and nutrients, which are greater than the sum of its parts when comparing them to other similar foods. In order to test the total antioxidant capacity of foods, the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity test) was developed. The ORAC test measures the amount of the two strongest antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolics. The predominant antioxidants associated with berries are illustrated below.
Antioxidant Phytochemicals of Berries
| Category | Subclassification |
|---|---|
| Phenolic Acid | Ellagic Acid |
| Flavonoids | Anthocyanin and Quercetin |
| Polyphenols | Reserveratol |
Top Scoring Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits
| ORAC Units per 100 gm (3-½ oz) McBride 1999 |
|
|---|---|
| Prunes | 5770 |
| Raisins | 2830 |
| Blueberries | 2400 |
| Blackberries | 2036 |
| Strawberries | 1540 |
| Raspberries | 1220 |
| Plums | 949 |
| Oranges | 750 |
| Grapes | 739 |
| Cherries | 670 |
| Kiwi Fruit | 602 |
| Grapefruit | 483 |
Vegetables
| ORAC Units per 100 gm (3-½ oz) McBride 1999 |
|
|---|---|
| Kale | 1770 |
| Spinach | 1260 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 980 |
| Broccoli | 890 |
| Beets | 840 |
| Red Bell Peppers | 710 |
| Onions | 450 |
| Corn | 400 |
Provided below are summary highlights of the different protective roles in aging, heart disease, and cancer which phenolic, flavonoid, and polyphenolic compounds contribute.
Antioxidants and Aging
The effects of aging take a toll on the nervous system due to oxidation. Oxygen radicals which damage cell membranes and DNA are often the cause of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Medical studies have found that memory impairment and difficulties in concentration can be reduced with fruit and vegetables high in antioxidant activity. Dr. James Joseph of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University found that diets supplemented with either spinach, blueberries, or strawberries prevented age-induced declines in motor learning and memory. All three foods improved short-term memory, however, only blueberries, improved balance/coordination and reversed nerve cell dysfunction. Even though spinach has an equal amount of antioxidant activity, spinach was not effective in reversing damage caused by aging. Blueberries may have additional antioxidant benefit since they contain anthocyanins, the indigo pigments.
Cardiovascular Disease
The flavonoids are the most potent antioxidant in plants. Berries contain significant amounts of flavonoids. Flavonoids play an important role against the development of atherosclerosis by destroying free radicals in the blood related to this disease and by inhibiting the oxidation of low density lipoproteins in the blood. A study of berry extracts showed that a high concentration of strawberries and blueberries each inhibited the oxidation of low density liporoteins by at least 84%. In addition, flavonoids can lower blood lipids such as cholesterol.
Flavonoid Content of Foods mg / kg
| Onions | 347 |
| Blueberries | 50 |
| Apples | 36 |
| Tea | 35 |
| Red wine | 16 |
| Strawberries | 15 |
| Red Raspberries | 8 |
Anthocyanins are a sub-category of the flavonoid family and are precursors of the blue-violet and red pigments in blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. These bright antioxidant pigments are known as free radical scavengers. They protect against vascular disease as well as inflammation and allergies. Anthocyanins have the unique ability to penetrate cell membranes and provide protection on site. Today, anthocyanins have pharmaceutical applications for improving vision, blood circulation, immune system, and wound healing.
Cancer
Flavonoids found in berries provide protection against cancer by inhibiting various stages of tumor development in animals. The relationship between the intake of flavonoids and risk of cancer was studied among 9959 Finnish men and women. An inverse relationship was observed between the intake of flavonoids and incidences of all cancers. In this study, the major source of flavonoids in the Finnish diet was apples. Blueberries contain more flavonoids per kg than apples. Ellagic acid, another phytochemical found in berries also protects the body against cancer. Ellagic acid has been found by scientific studies to be protective against cancers of the lung, skin, and liver. A study published by Ohio State University researchers found that raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries were top food sources for ellagic acid. Dr Larcom, professor at Clemson University in South Carolina, found that extracts from strawberry, blueberry and blackberry can suppress the growth of breast and cervical cancer. Quercetin is another phytochemical found in berries to protect against breast, lung, and skin cancers in research studies.
Nutrition Information for Berries
Driscoll BerriesStrawberries
A daily serving of (8 medium) strawberries provides:
- 45 calories with 12g carbohydrate, 1g protein, and 0g fat
- 160% of your day's supply of Vitamin C (more than one orange!)
- 16% of your day's supply of fiber
- 20% of your day's supply of folic acid (aids in the prevention of birth defects)
- 3520 ORAC value * (provides anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits)
Raspberries
A daily serving (1 cup) of raspberries provides:
- 60 calories with 15g carbohydrate, 1g protein, and 1g fat
- 50% of your day's supply of Vitamin C
- 32% of your day's supply of fiber
- 6% of your day's supply of folic acid (aids in the prevention of birth defects)
- 2789 ORAC value * (provides anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits)
Blackberries
A daily serving (1 cup) of blackberries provides:
- 60 calories with 14g carbohydrate, 2g protein, and 1g fat
- 50% of your day's supply of Vitamin C
- 32% of your day's supply of fiber
- 9% of your day's supply of folic acid (aids in the prevention of birth defects)
- 4654 ORAC value * (provides anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits)
Blueberries
A daily serving (1 cup) of blueberries provides:
- 80 calories with 21g carbohydrate, 1g protein, and 0g fat
- 25% of your day's supply of vitamin C
- 14% of your day's supply of fiber
- 2% of your day's supply of folic acid (aids in the prevention of birth defects)
- 5486 ORAC value * (provides anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits)